Pressure-reducing valve device



Nov.8,1938. ETYDEN 2,136,120

PRESSURE-REDUCING VALVE DEVICE Filed Jan. 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 8, 1938. E. TYDEN PRESSURE-REDUCING VALVE DEVICE Filed Jan. 24. 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 J l 5 J 9 0 i 1 4 Q v 5 a w 3 mm; J M 6 n /V\M, w a lu e M H M Z i W \Q M d I 5 a J c Q 4- M Z w 44 4 a A. I a |l Q? my a fl J/J Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFiCE 17 Claims.

This invention relates to means for maintaining air, gas or liquid at a constant pressure, and adapted to prevent the possibility of a gradual increase in the desired pressure through leakage from the source .of supply. To accomplish this result the invention provides a movable conduit section which may be shifted into and out of position for connecting the low pressure region of the apparatus with the supply source and disconnecting it automatically when the desired pressure is attained. The invention consists in certain features and elements of construction in combination, as herein shown. and described and as indicated by the claims.

Inthe drawings:

Figure 1 is aside elevation, partly in section, showing the movable conduit and means for operating it, together with the terminal portions of .the low pressure service line and the high pressure supply line whichit connects.

Figure 2 is a detail section on a larger scale taken as indicated at line 2-2 on Figure 1, but showing the movable conduit shifted into connecting position.

Figure 3 is an elevation, showing a modified mechanical arrangement for actuating the movable conduit.

Figure 4. is a sectional View showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a sideelevation, partly in section, showing a further modification.

Figure 6 is a detail section taken as indicated at line'6-'6 .on Figure 5.

There are .many situations in which it is .desirable to usea fiuid such as compresesd air, gas or liquid at a lower constant pressure than the pressure at which the general supply is main.- tained. To avoid the necessity of employing a separate compressor to provide the particular 40 pressure required for each special use, it is customary to employ a so-called pressure reducing valve which is designed to receive the air, gas or liquid from a high pressure source, and to deliver it at a relatively constant lower pressure. In many of these applications, such as air clamping chucks used in manufacturing operations, paint-spraying devices, and automatic sprinkler equipment in fire extinguishing systems, it is not only desirable, but often absolutely essential, that the pressure delivered from the reducing valve shall not exceed a predetermined maximum. The conventional type of reducing valve device is soconstructed that if, for any reason, such as wear or misalignment, the valve does not close ab- 55 solutely tight, the pressure on the low pressure side may gradually build up, tending to equal the high pressure of the supply source and thus defeat the purpose of the valve. The present invention is designed to prevent this undesirable possibility of the conventional structure by providing a device in which any leakage, due to wear or misalignment, is merely vented to the atmosphere and cannot transfer pressure from the supply line to the low pressure side of the valve device.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the high pressure line includes a pipe, connected into a fitting, 2. A pipe, 3, leading to the device or equipment which requires the fluid at low pressure is also connected into the fitting, 2, through a passage, 49. The high pressure supply pipe leads to a passage, '5, having an outlet port leading to atmosphere :and controlled by a spring-pressed valve, 6, which is normally closed. A similar valve, 1, closes a port in the passage, 4, and ,a branch pipe, 8, leads. from the passage, 4,, to a pressure controlled switch device indicated in its entirety by the letter A.

It may be understood that the switch device, A, is included in an electric circuit having conductors, 9 and 10, leading to a solenoid, ll. The plunger, 42, of the solenoid, I I, is connected to a conduit section, I3, carried for movement on guide rods, M, which, as shown, extend downwardly from the fitting, 2, and support the solenoid, II, at their lower ends. The conduit section, 13, includes a passage, I5, having two upwardly open ports, I6 and I1.

Each of the valves, -6 and I, is carried in a fitting, 28, (see Figure 2) which includes an externally projecting portion, 2|, preferably of tapered form; and each of the ports, l6 and I1, is provided with a seat fitting, 22, having a central passage, 23, and a ported cap, 24, which retains a gasket, 25, lodged on the upwardly facing seat of the fitting. Thus, when the pressure in the line, 3, drops to a predetermined minimum, the reduction of pressure in the branch, 8, actuates the electrical switch device, A, to energize the solenoid, ll, causing it to lift the plunger, l2, and with it the conduit section, it, toward the valves,'6 and l. The tapered projections, 2|, oi the valve fittings, 20, are thus entered through the caps, 24, and seated against the gaskets, 25, providing an air-tight connection between. the ports controlled by the valves, 5 and l, and the conduit, l5. Upstanding in each of the passages, 23, is a strut, 25. The valves, 6 and l, are provided with projectingvalvestems, 6 and l which are engaged by the struts, 26, when the valve fittings are seated against the gaskets, 25, so that simultaneously with the seating movement the valves, 6 and I, are opened, and the passage, I5, becomes an effective connection between the high pressure line, I, and the lower pressure pipe, 3. When the fluid thus admitted to the low pressure apparatus through the pipe, 3, has raised the pressure to a predetermined maximum, this pressure acting through the branch passage, 8, will operate the switch device, A, in reverse direction so as to open the circuit, whereupon the plunger, I2, will drop, carrying with it the conduit section, I3, disengaging it from the valve fittings, 29, and allowing the valves, 6 and I, to be closed by their respective springs.

By virtue of this arrangement the low pressure apparatus is normally kept disconnected from the source of fluid under pressure, so that any leakage of the valve, 6, merely discharges the high pressure fluid to atmosphere, and any leakage of the valve, I, merely releases a portion of the low pressure fluid to the atmosphere; and there is no possibility of building up the low pressure in the line, 3, by leakage from the line I, because the two lines are normally disconnected and are only connected temporarily by the movable conduit,

I5, at times when the pressure in the line 3 has fallen so low as to require replenishing from the supply line.

Figure 3 shows a slight modification of the structure just described, in that the movable conduit member, I3, is carried by a pivoted lever arm, 27, instead of being mounted for direct sliding motion toward and from the valves, 5 and 'l, and their ports. The lever is fulcrumed on a pivot, 28, and its opposite end is pivoted at 29 to the plunger, I2 of the solenoid, Il secured rigidly to the fitting, 2 The branch pipe, 8, may be understood as leading to a pressure-controlled electric switch, as in Figure 1, so that the solenoid, I I is actuated to lift the lever, 21, and the connecting conduit member, I3, whenever the pressure in the line, 3, falls below a predetermined minimum, to drop the section I3 out of connecting position as soon as the pressure has been raised to the proper amount.

The use of electrical means, such as the solenoid, II, provides a quick-acting device which shifts the movable conduit element almost instantaneously into or out of connecting position, so that the valves, 5 and E, are not left partially open for any appreciable periodduring the shifting movement, and there is no substantial loss of air either from the line i or from the line 3; but this result may be secured in various ways, and without necessarily employing electrical means. Figure 4 illustrates a construction which includes a quick-acting mechanical device for this purpose.

The pipe, 35, leading to the low pressure apparatus, and the pipe, 3|, leading from the high pressure supply, are connected into a fitting, 32, which includes a depending bracket arm, 33' The movable conduit member in this instance is a chamber, 34, carried by parallel links, 35 and 35, for vertical movement toward and from the terminal fitting, 3?, which provides a port for the high pressure line, 3 I. The chamber, 34, is itself in constant communication with the low pressure line, 30, through a flexible pipe section, 33, which permits its movement as controlled by the links, 36. The upper end of the chamber, 34, carries a terminal fitting, 39, and a gasket, 49, adapted to cooperate with the terminal, 31, when the chamber is lifted into engagement therewith. The fitting, 31, is provided with a spring-closed valve, M, and the chamber, 34, carries a spring-closed valve, 42, said valves being arranged with their stems, 4N and 42 in alignment so that when the conduit section or chamber, 34, is moved toward the ported terminal, 31, said valve stems will engage each other and open both valves as the terminal, 37, becomes seated on the gasket, 40. Struts, 43, and 44, may be provided within the fittings, 32 and 34, to limit the opening movement of the respective valves so as to insure that both of them will be opened, even though their springs may be unequal in tension.

Within the lower portion of the chamber, 34, there is secured a pressure-responsive, corrugated diaphragm or bellows, 45, of the sylphon type, having an actuating stem, 45, extending through a guide bushing, 41, and connected to the extending end portion, 48, of the link, 36. A spring,

49, within the bellows, 45, is tensioned to expand in the direction for drawing the stem, 46, inwardly, and thus rocking the lever-link, 36, in the direction for lifting the chamber, 34, into engagement with the terminal, 3?. ment is normally resisted by the pressure acting on the outside of the diaphragm or bellows, 45, within the chamber, 34, this being the pressure in the apparatus connected to the line 30. When this pressure drops below a predetermined minimum, the resultant pressure reduction in the chamber, 34, permits expansion of the spring, 49, as described, to lift the chamber, 34, into connection with the terminal, 31, opening the valves,

4! and 42, admitting air from the high pressure line, 3!, to the chamber, 34, and thence by way of the flexible pipe, 33, to the line, 35, and the apparatus connected thereto. Thus the pressure is raised to the proper limit at which it becomes suflicient to overcome the tension of the spring, 49, and partially collapse the bellows, 45, shifting the stem, 45, outwardly, and lowering the chamber, 34, out of connection with the high pressure line.

In order that this movement of the chamber, 34, shall take place quickly at either limit of the controlling pressure, and thus avoid wastage of air by reason of a slow separation of the terminal, 31, from the gasket, 43, I provide a quick-acting mechanism consisting of a control link, 59, pivotally attached at one end to a lug, 5!, on the chamber, 34, and at the other end pivoted to a plunger, 52, which is slidable in a pocket, 53, formed on the bracket arm, 33. A spring, 54, in the pocket acts to urge the plunger, 52, outwardly, and at either limit of movement of the chamber, 34, the link, 59, assumes a position slightly oblique to the axis of the cylinder, 53. Thus, in its move ment from one limit to the other, the chamber, 34, must compress the spring, 54, in order that the link, 59, may swing from one oblique position to the other; this operates to delay actual movement of the chamber, 34, until there is an accumulation of air pressure or of tension in the spring, 49, suflicient to overcome the spring, 54, and shift the parts suddenly to the opposite limit of their range. An adjusting screw, 55, is provided for varying the tension of the spring, 54, as may be required.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate one additional modification which is quit similar to that shown in Figure 3, in that the connecting movable conduit member is carried on a lever, 66, which may be substantially similar to the lever, 27. This lever may be understood as operable by'means of a However, this move-- solenoid, not shown in Figure 5, but similar to the solenoid, Il of "Figure 3. 'It vmay .also be understood that the :fitting, 2, with .connecting pipe "lines, -'I :and .3, is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 3, and is provided with valves whosestems, 6 and 1 areseen extending downwardly above the lever, 60. However, instead of forming the connecting conduit to fit individually onto the xterminals'whose ports are controlled by the valves, 6 and v7, I make the connecting element in the .form of a circular chamber, .62! ,whose rim, i62,'contacts with a compressible sealing ring, 63, carried by a flange, 64, on'the fitting,.2, and encirclingthe terminal pro- "jections, 121, of the valve fittings, as indicated in Figure 6. Whenthe lever arm, 60, lifts the cupshaped chamber, 6!, into contact with the sealing ring, 63, the bottom of the :cup or chamber contacts with the valve stems, 6 and l and lifts them for opening the valves so that the chamber, 6|, thus becomes the movable conduit serving to temporarily connect the high pressure line, I, with the 'low pressure line, 3. It will be evident that this is a relatively simple and inexpensive construction to manufacture, requiring a minimum of adjustment, and being well adapted to function satisfactorily.

It will be recognized that in all of the several constructions herein shown and described the purpose is to avoid a permanent fluid-tight connection between the high pressure supply line and the low pressure service line, such that there might be a leakage from the supply line causing the low pressureto build up beyond the intended maximum value at any time. This is accomplished in each of the structures by employing a movable conduit element whichis normally disconnected from both lines. It will be recognized, however, that such connecting conduit need not be movable if it be provided with a vent which is normally open, so that any leakage from the high pressure line would be merely dissipated without any likelihood of causing an accumulation of pressure in the low pressure line. With such an arrangement the vent of the connecting conduit would be closed simultaneously with the opening of the valves controlling the terminal ports of the two lines from the high pressure supply and low pressure service regions respectively. In other words, the shifting of the conduit element itself, provided for in the structures herein illustrated, might be replaced by the mere op eration of valves under similar conditions. Thus, while there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and re-arrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the same is not limited to the particular form herein shown and described, except in so far as indicated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply .line maintained at a higher pressure, means including a movable conduit element for connecting said lines but normally disconnected from at least one of them, valve means normally closing said lines respectively, and means by which the movement of said conduit element into connecting position automatically opens said valve means to provide communication between the lines through said conduit element.

2. In combination, a low pressure service line,

I a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, "means ;including :a movable conduit element for connecting said lines but normally :disconnected from at :least one of them, pressureresponsive means subject .to the pressure in the low pressure service .line and connected to shift said .movable conduit element into connecting position in response to a predetermined minimum pressure, valve means normally closing said lines.respectively,:and means by which the movement of said conduit element into connecting position automatically opens said valve means to establish communication between the lines through said conduit element.

3. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, means including a movable conduit element for connecting said lines but normally disconnected from at least one of them, valvemeans normally closing said lines respectively, quickacting mechanism associated with the movable conduit element and serving to ensure rapid movement thereof inconnecting'and disconnecting said lines, and means by which movement of said conduit element into connecting position automatically opens said valve means to provide communication between the lines through said conduit element.

4. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, means including a movable conduit element for connecting said lines but normally disconnected from at least one of them, pressure responsive means subject to the pressure in the low pressure service line and connected to shift said movable conduit element into connecting position in response to a predetermined minimum pressure, valve means normally closing said lines respectively, quick-acting mechanism associated with'the movable conduit element and serving to ensure rapid movement thereof in connecting and disconnecting said lines, and means by which the movement of said conduit element into connecting position automatically opens said valve means to establish communication between the lines through said conduit element.

5. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, a movable conduit element for connecting said lines but normally disconnected from at least one of them, said element including a ported terminal and at least one of the linesincluding a cooperating terminal adapted for engagement therewith to eifect connection, the line terminal being provided with a valve and the terminal of the element having means associated therewith for automatically opening said valve when said terminals .are engaged upon movement of theconduit element into connecting position.

6. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, .a movable conduit element for connecting said lines but normally disconnected from at least one of them, said element including a ported terminal and at least one of the lines including a cooperating terminal adapted for engagement therewith toeffect connection, the line terminal being provided with a valve and the terminal of the element having means associated therewith for automatically openingsaid valve when said terminals are engaged upon movement of the conduit element into connecting position, together with quick-acting mechanism associated with the movable conduit element and serving to "ensure rapid movement thereof and rapid 7:5

opening and closing of the valve in the connection and disconnection of the lines.

'7. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at higher pressure, each of said lines having a terminal port with valve means normally closing said port, a movable conduit element formed with terminals for connection with said ports respectively, but normally disconnected from both of them, and means responsive to variations of pressure in the low pressure line and connected for shifting said conduit terminals into and out of connection with both ports, together with means for opening said valve means automatically when the terminals are shifted into connecting position.

8. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at higher pressure, each of said lines having a terminal port with valve means normally closing said port, a movable conduit element formed with terminals adapted for connection with said ports respectively, but normally disconnected therefrom, electro-motive means connected for shifting said conduit terminals into connection with said ports and opening said valve means, and an electric switch device controlling said electro-motive means and operable in response to variations of pressure in the low pressure line arranged to energize said ,electro-motive means when the low pressure drops to a predetermined minimum, whereby the movable conduit terminals are shifted into position for establishing connection between the low pressure line and the high pressure supply line. i

9. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, a terminal fitting including terminal ports for both lines with separate valve means for said ports having stems both projecting at'the same side of the fitting, said valve means normally closing both ports, a movable conduit element mounted for movement toward and from said ports and adapted for connecting them, said element being formed to engage the stems of said valve means for automatically opening the valves when it is moved into connecting position, together with means responsive to variations of pressure in the low pressure line and connected for shifting said conduit element into connecting position when said pressure drops to a predetermined minimum.

10. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, a terminal fitting including terminal ports for both lines with separate valve means for said ports having stems both projecting at the same side of the fitting, said valve means normally closing both ports, a 'movable conduit element mounted for movement toward and fromsaid ports and adapted for connecting them, said element being formed to engage the stems of said valve means for automatically opening the valves when it is moved into connecting position, together with a solenoid including a plunger connected for actuating said movable conduit, and a pressure-actuated switch device controlling said solenoid responsivetc the pressure in the low pressure line adapted to close the circuit when said pressure reaches a predetermined minimum, whereby the solenoid plunger is actuated to shift the conduit element into connecting position thus establishing communication between the lines.

11. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, a terminal fitting including terminal ports for both lines with separate valve means for said ports having stems both projecting at the same side of the fitting, said valve means normally closing both ports, a movable conduit element mounted for movement toward and'from said ports and adapted for connecting them, said element being formed to engage the stems of said valve means for automatically opening the valves when it moved into connecting position, together with a lever having a longer and a shorter arm, said conduit element being carried by the shorter arm, and actuating means engaging the longer arm of the lever and responsive to the pressure in the low pressure service line adapted to move the conduit element into connecting position in response to a predetermined minimum pressure in said line.

12. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, means including a movable conduit element for connecting said lines but normally disconnected from at least one of them, pressure-responsive means subject to the pressure in the low pressure service line and including spring means acting to urge said movable conduit into connecting position, and a diaphragm motor subject to the pressure in said low pressure service line and arranged to oppose said spring means whereby the conduit element serves to connect the low pressure service line and the high pressure supply line when the low pressure drops to a predetermined minimum and automatically disconnects said lines when the pressure has been restcred to a predetermined maximum.

, 13. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, means including a movable conduit element for connecting said lines but normally disconnected from at least one of them, pressure-responsive means subject to the pressure in the low pressure service line and including spring means acting to urge said movable conduit into con necting position, and a diaphragm motor subject to the pressure in said low pressure service line and arranged to oppose said spring means whereby the conduit element, serves to connect the low pressure service and the high pressure supply line when the low pressure drops to a predetermined minimum and automatically disconnects said lines when the pressure has been restored to a predetermined maximum, together with supplemental spring means yieldingly opposing the movement of said conduit element at either limit of its range, thus requiring surplus energy to be accumulated before its movement toward the other limit can take place, and ensuring substantially instantaneous movement to either limit of. its range when the required surplus is attained.

14. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, valve means normally closing said lines respectively, a connecting conduit normally open to atmosphere, and means for simultaneously closing off the connecting conduit from atmosphere and opening said valve means to establish communication between the lines through said connecting conduit.

15. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, valve means normally closing said lines respectively, a connecting conduit normally open to atmosphere, and means for simultaneously closing ofi the connecting conduit from atmosphere and opening said valve means to establish communication between the lines through said connecting conduit, said last mentioned means including quick-acting mechanism serving to ensure rapid opening or closing of the said valve means to avoid Waste of pressure when said valves are operated.

16. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, valve means normally closing said lines respectively, a connecting conduit normally open to atmosphere, and means for simultaneously closing off the connecting conduit from atmosphere and opening said valve means to establish communication between the lines through said connecting conduit, said last mentioned means including pressure-responsive mechanism subject to the pressure in the low pressure service line and connected to open said valve means in response to a predetermined minimum pressure.

17. In combination, a low pressure service line, a fluid supply line maintained at a higher pressure, valve means normally closing said lines respectively, a connecting conduit normally open to atmosphere, and means for simultaneously closing off the connecting conduit from atmosphere and opening said valve means to establish communication between the lines through said connecting conduit, said last mentioned means including an electro-motive device and an electric switch device controlling the same operable in response to variations of. pressure in the low pressure line and arranged to energize said electro-motive device when said pressure drops to a predetermined minimum.

EMIL T'YDEN. 

